Doctor Who Series Two and Christmas Special News – updated

A glut of new information has been released about the production of the second series of Doctor Who including David Tennant’s costume – a pinstripe suit, trainers and trenchcoat (we’ll bring you a picture as soon as they are officially available).

As rumoured, Stephen Fry is to write an episode of the second series and Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Anthony Head will be guest starring as will Adam Garcia (Coyote Ugly).

Series one regulars Camille Coduri and Noel Clarke also return.

Full BBC press release follows:

Filming is underway for series two of Doctor Who

Category: TV DramaDate: 25.07.2005David Tennant today steps into the role of the tenth Time Lord, as filming commences on the highly anticipated Christmas special and second series of Doctor Who for BBC ONE.Billie Piper returns as the Doctor’s feisty young companion, Rose Tyler, and together they will travel through time and space battling new and returning aliens and monsters.David Tennant says of his striking new look: “I think we’ve come up with something distinctive that’s both timeless and modern, with a bit of geek chic and of course, a dash of Time Lord!

“Most importantly, Billie tells me she likes it – after all, she’s the one who has to see me in it for the next nine months! “Billie Piper, who will star alongside Tennant in the Christmas special and all 13 episodes in series two, says: “I’m thrilled to be stepping back into the role of Rose.“We plan to make series two even bigger and better and challenge the viewers’ imaginations like never before. Wait until you get a load of the new doctor!”

Russell T Davies, writer and Executive Producer, adds: “We were delighted and honoured by the first series’ success, and we can promise new thrills, new laughs, new heartbreak, and some terrifying new aliens.“The Doctor and Rose are destined to meet Queen Victoria, an evil race of Cat Women, and the dreaded Cybermen. 2006 is going to be scarier than ever!”

Filming of the 60-minute Christmas episode kicks off in London and continues in various locations across Wales, predominantly in Cardiff.Christmas becomes a time of terror for Planet Earth, as the whole of mankind falls under the shadow of the alien Sycorax. Rose needs the Doctor’s help, but can she trust a man with a new face?

Camille Coduri returns as Rose’s mum Jackie and Noel Clarke as Mickey. Penelope Wilton returns as Harriet Jones in the Christmas Special. Anthony Head (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Little Britain) and Adam Garcia (Coyote Ugly, Saturday Night Fever The Musical) are now confirmed to star in series two.Elisabeth Sladen resumes her role as the iconic character Sarah Jane Smith, remembered by a whole generation of Doctor Who fans as the assistant to both Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker.The Christmas Special will be screened later this year and series two is scheduled for spring 2006.Writers include Russell T Davies, Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, Toby Whithouse, Tom Macrae, Matt Jones and Stephen Fry.

The directors include James Hawes, Euros Lyn and Graeme Harper. The producer is Phil Collinson; Executive producers are Head of Drama, BBC Wales, Julie Gardner and Russell T Davies.